HEADPHONES IN COMPARISON: DT 770 PRO VS DT 990 PRO – SOUND, RANGE OF USES AND MUCH MORE
Not sure which headphones and design are best for you? In this blog post, we go into detail about the range of uses, sound, features and impedance variants.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Range of uses
The range of uses is a decisive factor and there are clear differences depending on the model. Thanks to its excellent sound insulation, the DT 770 PRO with its closed design is particularly well suited for studio recordings, monitoring and streaming. It is impressive in situations with prevalent background noise that should not end up on the recording. In addition, ambient noise is shielded when listening to music and no sound penetrates to the outside.
No noise output to the outside
In contrast, the open DT 990 PRO offers a kind of sound stage, which makes it particularly interesting for lovers of spatial sound reproduction. It is ideal for mixing and mastering applications, as its outstanding properties make the tonal depth clearly recognisable, and with them even slight changes in the position of the sound sources in the mix.
With this model, you are not completely shielded and can still hear the outside world while listening to music.
Noise output also to the outside
It plays back the arrangement of the sound sources in a room and thus also conveys an overall impression of all the sounds in the room – from “front” to “back”. Imagine a band performing on a stage: The drums are usually positioned at the back, the guitar, bass and piano are a little further forward and the lead singer is in the front row. This is precisely the set-up that you want to reproduce in the mix with various tools.
A tip from our community: Both headphones are suited not only for classic studio use, but also for gaming or streaming. The high level of comfort prevents pressure and hot ears even during longer sessions.
The DT 770 PRO is very popular for streaming and gaming because the outside world is not disturbed and you have the option to self-monitor. The DT 990 PRO, on the other hand, has the edge when it comes to music editing or for cutting and editing videos, because it is possible to perceive details very clearly and distinctly, which is a great advantage in the production of a mix. According to experience reports, it is also much more pleasant not to be completely isolated in this type of work, but instead to be aware of your surroundings.
Sound
Hearing is a very subjective sensation and every ear perceives sounds differently. Because of this, we endeavour to keep the descriptions based on the results of our measuring instruments as neutral as possible.
Both the DT 770 PRO and the DT 990 PRO have individual strengths and features. We always take care to create a clear and unadulterated sound and to avoid fixed sound profiles.
The DT 770 PRO is characterised by an accurate frequency reproduction that reproduces low frequencies powerfully and precisely. Its sound profile is spacious, transparent, detailed and powerful. As the benchmark-setting headphones for sound professionals, the DT 770 PRO offers a fine acoustic detail that makes them ideal for monitoring musical details. High frequencies are translated into an analytical and differentiated sound, while low bass frequencies are defined and reproduced crisply.
On the other hand, the DT 990 PRO features a wide stereo image and spatial sound reproduction. Its sound profile is characterised by a rich bass, strong treble, analytical, very spacious and transparent. The open-back design of the DT 990 PRO enables outstanding spatiality in the sound reproduction and a detailed tonal depth. Their bass and treble boost ensure a pleasant sound.
Sound differences in terms of impedance
With 80 ohms, the DT 770 PRO differs significantly from the 32- and 250-ohm versions in terms of sound.
The 80-ohm version of the DT 770 PRO has a two-part coil system and reacts somewhat more slowly, which causes a slight treble attenuation at approx. 6 kHz. This can be very pleasant for ears that are sensitive to high frequencies. The DT 770 PRO versions with 32 and 250 ohms have a three-part coil system. This ensures a faster performance and reproduces the high frequencies more faithfully, which is why the treble sounds more present.
The 32 and 250 ohm versions have the same sound signature, but differ in the ear cushions. The DT 770 PRO in 32 ohms has ear cushions made of synthetic leather, which slightly amplify the bass and attenuate the treble in the presence range. The DT 770 PRO in 250 ohms (velour ear cushions) has a slightly finer resolution, which can only be perceived with a very fine ear.
If you have a low-power sound card, e.g. the internal sound card of a laptop or your smartphone, then you should opt for the DT 770 PRO with 32 ohms, as this produces the highest volume. Users with very powerful sound cards or amplifiers can select a higher impedance if required.
The 80-ohm DT 990 PRO also has a two-part coil system and reacts somewhat more slowly, which is why a slight treble attenuation can also be detected here at approx. 6 kHz. This makes the sound somewhat softer in the treble. The 250-ohm version has a three-part coil system for slightly faster performance. As a result, the high frequencies are also reproduced more faithfully with this model, while the treble sounds more present.
Impedance options
The various impedance options offer a high degree of flexibility depending on the application requirements. The DT 770 PRO is available in versions with 32, 80 and 250 ohms, while the DT 990 PRO is available with 80 and 250 ohms.
Both headphones are also available in a Black Edition with 80 and 250 ohms in our shop.
The differences in impedance allow you to choose depending on your specific end device and application scenario, whether it’s for a mobile device such as a smartphone or laptop (32 ohms), as a universal studio all-rounder (80 ohms) or for connecting to professional mixing consoles and interfaces (250 ohms).
Continue reading: If you would like to find out more about impedance and its impact, take a look at our blog post “What does impedance reveal?”.
Cable versions
The DT 770 PRO:
32 ohms: 1.6 m straight cable
80 ohms: 3 m straight cable
250 ohms: 3 m coiled cable
The DT 770 PRO Black Edition:
80 ohms: 3 m straight cable
250 ohms: 3 m coiled cable
The DT 990 PRO:
80 ohms: 3 m straight cable
250 ohms: 3 m coiled cable
The DT 990 PRO Black Edition:
80 ohms: 3 m straight cable
250 ohms: 3 m straight cable
What’s in the box
The DT 770 PRO and DT 990 PRO headphone models are supplied with a 6.35-mm jack adapter and a fabric drawstring bag.
Jack adapter
Softbag
Conclusion
Whether you want for streaming, for producing or listening to music, or for starting a podcast, both headphone models impress with their natural sound, high level of comfort and flexible application options. The final decision between the DT 770 PRO with its good sound isolation for studio recordings and monitoring, or the DT 990 PRO with its natural sound reproduction for mixing and mastering, ultimately lies in your individual application.
We also attach great importance to long-term use and the availability of spare parts. If an ear pad or headband wears out over the years, you can buy any spare part you need from our spare parts shop and replace it yourself. This makes your purchase a sustainable decision for many years to come.